I finally launched my Chestnut Prospector Ranger 15 on Sunday. She is a sweet canoe.

As I built her, I studied her lines and wondered if I was building a brick. For her length, she is broad of beam and nothing like the hull of my super slim Merlin. Yes, I worried about her performance.

All worries gone. The Ranger is a wonder on the water. Even with the rocker she tracks nice, but can turn on a dime (unlike my Merlin) and spin like a top. She is an easy canoe to handle solo using the bow seat (she has a symmetric hull). Under tandem power her speed and agility amazed me. I might even go so far as to say that the Ranger is a less tiring canoe to paddle than my Bell Northwind.

My Merlin is lighter and fun to paddle in a straight line but I think I would take the Ranger if going in solo.

The hull design of the Chestnut Prospector series dates back to the 30's. They did it right. I just found the pleasure of paddling a historic design.

Very nicely done. Congrats on the new ride.

Very nice work. I love those Prospectors myself. So fun to paddle.

That's one heck of a wake you have going in that last picture. I'm about a month or so from completing my 2nd Merlin. Would sure be interested in hearing more about the solo capabilities of this boat. I'd love to build something that may give a little in solo capability but add tandem capability at that same time. How much does she weigh?

JD

quote jdevries: "That's one heck of a wake you have going in that last picture. I'm about a month or so from completing my 2nd Merlin. Would sure be interested in hearing more about the solo capabilities of this boat. I'd love to build something that may give a little in solo capability but add tandem capability at that same time. How much does she weigh?


JD"

JD
Yes we had a bit of a wake going. I don't like to see that because I think wasted energy. Maybe the wake was a consequence of our aggressive paddling style. Not sure.

There is not much that I can tell you about the solo capabilities. I know it handles nice solo without packs and I am sure with a little more weight in the bow area, she would trim real nice and be even better.

OK is a long way away, but you could always pull into Brookings, SD on your way up north (for a test paddle). We are right on I29

Finished weight 55.5 lbs

Beautiful!

Just fabulous.

Looks like a great boat, congrats!

Nice looking boat. I like what you did with the decks. The Ranger is an extremely stable design.